POULSBO — A new gym, new coach and a new style aren’t the only things different about the start of the North Kitsap boys’ basketball season.

North’s Dec. 10 game against Lincoln established another first — beating former state champions.

“I can’t think of a better way to start the season,” Coach Aaron Nations said, after his team out-played the 2000 and 2001 state champion Lincoln Abes, to win 56-52. “What we need to do is enjoy this win and get ready to go on the road.”

Adding to a night already filled with excitement surrounding the boys team’s first use of the renovated NK gym was a come-from-behind performance in which the Vikings’ first lead came with only 1:15 left in the third quarter.

“We had a big momentum swing,” Nations said. “We started playing some good defense, getting the big defensive boards. I told the kids, ‘You hold (Lincoln) under 55 points, and we’ll win this game.’”

The Vikes began the night with some sloppy passing that yielded scores to a fast-paced Abes’ offense, combined with a lack of defensive pressure that gave Lincoln one too many looks at the basket.

At the half, the teams went into the locker rooms — or rather, behind the bleachers, until the renovated ones are finished — with Lincoln up by four, 30-26. Nations took the advantage of the opportunity, said to Vikes’ center Ryan Young.

“Coach (Nations) inspired us to play with more intensity in the second half,” said Young, who scored 16 on the night.

The Vikings responded, out-scoring Lincoln 10-6 in the third quarter, and tying the game on a steal by point guard Garrett McKinstry for a fast-break dunk. The dunk — another first in the remodeled gym’s brief history — was worth going for, said McKinstry.

“The rim is actually at 10’1’’ — it was way up there,” McKinstry said.

The fourth quarter saw North take advantage of turnovers, making some key steals and rebounds and when Jared Prince took a charge, the Vikings were in control.

With 40 seconds left, Young sank two free throws to go up 52-48. Several more trips to the line ensued for the Vikes, putting Jacob Gonzales, who led the team with 17 points, often on the line.

Lincoln stayed close, and when Clarence Demmery sank a three for the Abes with 13 seconds to go, the Vikings were only up by a point. But a steal on the final inbounds put North up for good.

Lincoln’s Austin Shelton scored 23 points for the Abes to lead all scorers.

“(North Kitsap) worked hard for this game,” Lincoln Coach Mark Williams said. “They wanted it more than we did.”